January 14, 2000

Page 1

The Chronicle Duke, UNC share S2IM grant for AIDS research By GREG PESSIN The Chronicle

AIDS researchers at the Medical Center and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as North Carolina’s thousands of AIDS and HIV patients, will benefit from a $2l million five-year grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to fund ongoing and new'Studies. Although Duke and UNC-CH applied separately for the grant, both were awarded money—sB.s million to Duke and $12.5 million to UNC. The grants were awarded based on the number of AIDS and HIV patients an institution treats and studies, the original ideas it has generated and the quality of data and scientific pa-

pers it produces. “Over the years, both the Duke unit and the North Carolina unit have been very effective at reaching the effective

population in the state,” said Dr. Frederick Batzold, a spokesperson for the National Institutes of Health, the NIAID’s parent organization. Nearly every AIDS patient in the state is treated by one of the two health system giants—each treats about 1,200 patients. The money will be used to help relieve the burden of medical and lab costs as well as transportation fees from patients and the state programs that support them. It will save the state $3 million annually. Over the next several months and years, researchers at both schools will enroll 1,000 patients in a series of studies designed to test new and existing AIDS drugs and their effects on different types of patients in various stages of the disease. The funds will be used to pay for the subjects’ transportation to and from clinics, medicaSee AIDS GRANT on page 11

he Kin Friday, January 14

r. D

Speak Out

Candlelight Vigil Noon to 1 pm, Duke Chapel ng

3 to 4 pm, Duke Chapel steps Open Microphone

Panel Discussion 4:30 to 6 pm, Von Canon "What is Race?” moderated by William Raspberry

Film and Discussion

Respected professor, engineer dies Officials reflect on Colleagues and students continue to grapple with Allen Dewey’s sudden death late-night services By RICHARD RUBIN The Chronicle

Allen Dewey, an electrical engineering professor hailed by colleagues as a hard-working and dedicated innovator, died unexpectedly Dec. 17. He was 43. Kristina Johnson, dean of the Pratt School of Engineering, said Dewey’s death was a “huge loss” for the school. “I found him to be a wonderfully sensitive, hard-working individual that I had a lot of respect for, and I was very sad to hear of his passing,” she said. At about 5:30 p.m. Dec. 17, Dewey was found in his car, parked in a field off Mount Moriah Road. His death was listed as a suicide by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Dewey’s sudden death surprised his colleagues. To say that people were shocked is an understatement,” said Professor Richard Fair, who collaborated with Dewey on research projects. “This kind of thing just leaves me with all kinds of questions. It’s very unsettling.” Several of those who worked with Dewey said they never thought he would consider suicide. “In talking with him and working with him personally... there’s no way imaginable. I wouldn’t have imagined that this could have happened,” said Pratt senior Jon Lam, who was working with Dewey on an independent study. Dewey, an associate professor who came to Duke in 1997, specialized in integrated electronic systems and micromechanics, with an emphasis on system architecture, Fair said. “He was. quite gifted, a very gifted

intellectual.”

His latest project was studying “biochips,” electrical systems that interface with biological components. He planned a spring semester course on biochips, which will now be taught by another instructor. Dewey was a hard worker who often lead large government-funded research projects, said Associate Professor John Board, associate chair of the electrical and computer engineering department. One of Dewey’s major achievements was persuadmg industry leaders to accept a set of standards for

DUPD

Although many students used the 24hour dining, bus and library service during exams, officials say the plan was expensive—especially after 2 a.m. By DREW KLEIN The Chronicle

Who needed Honey’s? When University officials kept many services operating around the clock during finals week, many students appreciated the luxury of strolling into the Pits in the middle of the night. But administrators are discovering that keeping services open literally all night is costly—maybe too costly. Students could enjoy 24-hour bus service, dining options and gym access during finals week in

Professor Allen Dewey digital design, standards that are still in place today, Board said. “He wasn’t interested in thinking about the problems of last year or this year. He was always thinking about the problems of the future and future-oriented technologies... and how do we get ready for

that,” Board said. Ted Harder, a second-year graduate student at the Pratt School, said Dewey was also an effective advisen “He was really ambitious, a hard worker, and he demanded the same from his students,” he said. “And so he was challenging to work for.” Dewey, originally from Sherburne, N.Y., received his doctorate from Carnegie Mellon University and served as an officer in the Air Force. He is survived by his wife, Judith, and two young sons. Contributions in Dewey’s honor may be sent to Epworth United Methodist Church Children’s Council, 3002 Hope Valley Rd., Durham, N.C. 27707. An on-campus memorial service is being planed, although a date has not yet been

SNAGS BIKE THIEF, PAGE

mid-December. But the University lost about $13,400 running the project, said Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services Joe Pietrantoni. Now, administrators must determine if the project should continue in future semesters. Pietrantoni was generally pleased with the results of the venture, especially in the first part of the night. “It was a success in that students used it,” he said. But, he added, “We found that after two in the morning, people stopped using it.” Director of Dining Services Jim Wulforst agreed. “Students really appreciated us being open,” he said. “But after 2 a.m., there was hardly anyone at all.” Wulforst said there were 200 or 300 customers every hour up until 2 a.m., but it dropped to below 40 students later in the night. Wulforst said a better solution would be to keep the Marketplace and Great Hall open until about 2 a.m., minimizing financial losses while See 24-HOUR SERVICES on page

4 � THE RACE IS ON FOR N.C. GOVERNOR, PAGE 5

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